(Wasilla) - Four State House members of the Legislature's Mat-Su Valley delegation sent a letter to the chairwoman of the Joint Legislative Council yesterday expressing their opposition to the proposed purchase of new Anchorage office space.

We want the public to know that there is not unanimous support for this proposed purchase, and certainly not among Valley legislators.~ Rep. Bill Stoltze

"We do not believe the proposed purchase is a sound business decision, nor do we believe it is prudent for the Legislature to be engaged in a discussion to purchase this or any other building," the letter states.

The Council voted 10-2 to proceed with negotiations to buy the former Unocal building on 9th Avenue in downtown Anchorage at their Nov. 4 meeting, if the current proposed buyer backs out of its negotiations. An unnamed Alaska Native Corporation has entered into negotiations with the seller. The Council proposes spending more than $16 million to buy and renovate the space.

"We want the public to know that there is not unanimous support for this proposed purchase, and certainly not among Valley legislators," Rep. Stoltze, R - Mat-Su/Chugiak, said.

A copy of the letter, delivered to Senator Menard and the presiding officers of both houses yesterday, is attached to this release.

Contact Rep. Stoltze's Mat-Su office for more information at 907-376-4958.